What does Ohio's Good Samaritan law protect?

Ohio Revised Code section 2925.11(B)(2) protects a qualified individual from arrest, charge, prosecution, conviction, or penalty for a minor drug possession offense, meaning a misdemeanor or fifth-degree felony, when the evidence came from seeking or obtaining medical help for an overdose. It does not cover trafficking or other crimes.

Can I get naloxone at an Ohio pharmacy without a prescription?

Yes. Ohio pharmacists may dispense naloxone without a prescription under a protocol set by the State Board of Pharmacy, and they must explain how to use it. You can also get naloxone from many health departments and community harm-reduction programs.

How does a probate court order treatment in Ohio?

A spouse, relative, or guardian files a verified petition for involuntary treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse in probate court under Revised Code section 5119.93. The petition must show the person has alcohol and other drug abuse and presents an imminent danger or threat of danger if not treated, supported by a physician's certificate.

Is it dangerous to quit alcohol or benzodiazepines cold turkey?

It can be. Stopping heavy drinking or benzodiazepine use abruptly can cause severe withdrawal that may be life-threatening, so medical supervision is recommended. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or struggling to breathe.

Addiction Treatment Laws in Ohio

Q: Does Ohio Medicaid cover addiction treatment?

Yes. Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, and about 770,000 Ohioans were covered through the expansion as of March 2025. Medicaid covers withdrawal management, outpatient and community-based substance use services, residential care, and medication for opioid use disorder.

Ohio's treatment laws cover three common situations. If you call 911 for an overdose, the state's Good Samaritan provision shields you from minor possession charges. If you want naloxone, a pharmacist can hand it over without a prescription. And if someone is in imminent danger, a probate court can order treatment. Medicaid pays for a large share of the care that follows.

Ohio's age-adjusted drug overdose death rate was 27.2 per 100,000 people in 2024, according to the CDC, with 3,165 deaths. Those numbers describe a population rather than an individual. Substance use disorder is treatable, and care is available in every part of the state.

Overdose immunity under Ohio's Good Samaritan law

Ohio Revised Code section 2925.11(B)(2) protects a "qualified individual" from arrest, charge, prosecution, conviction, or penalty for a minor drug possession offense. A minor drug possession offense means a misdemeanor or a fifth-degree felony. The protection applies when the evidence of obtaining, possessing, or using the drug came from the person seeking or obtaining medical help for an overdose, or from the person experiencing the overdose and needing help.

A qualified individual can be the person who calls for help, the person who overdoses and seeks help, or the person the call is about. The immunity covers possession offenses; it does not reach trafficking or unrelated crimes discovered at the scene. As always, call 911 first when someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly.

Naloxone without a prescription

Ohio pharmacists may dispense naloxone without a prescription under a protocol established by the State Board of Pharmacy (Ohio Revised Code section 4729.44 and Ohio Administrative Code 4729:1-3-04). The pharmacist must instruct the person receiving it on how to use it. Naloxone is also carried by many first responders and is available through local health departments and community harm-reduction programs.

When a probate court can order treatment

Ohio Revised Code sections 5119.90 through 5119.98 govern involuntary treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse. A spouse, relative, or guardian files a verified petition in probate court (section 5119.93). The petition must state the facts supporting a belief that the person has alcohol and other drug abuse and presents an imminent danger or imminent threat of danger to self, family, or others if not treated. A physician who examined the person within two days before filing must supply a certificate describing the findings and the treatment needed.

A court can order emergency hospitalization for up to 72 hours when it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, an imminent threat of danger (section 5119.95). Longer treatment follows a hearing on the petition. One practical limit is cost: the person filing the petition generally must guarantee payment of examination, court, and treatment costs. Families usually consult a lawyer and the county ADAMH board before starting the process.

Does Ohio Medicaid cover addiction treatment?

Yes. Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, and roughly 770,000 Ohioans were covered through the expansion as of March 2025. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio reports that in 2024, 40% of adults in the expansion group had a primary mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis. Medicaid covers community-based substance use services, withdrawal management, residential programs, and medication for opioid use disorder, and most outpatient and residential treatment facilities accept it.

Prescription monitoring

Ohio's prescription drug monitoring program is the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS), operated by the State Board of Pharmacy. Pharmacies must report dispensed prescription information to OARRS within one day, which gives prescribers a fuller picture before they write a controlled-substance prescription.

Where to get help in Ohio

Call the Ohio CareLine at 1-800-720-9616. It is free, confidential, and staffed by behavioral health professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Search FindTreatment.gov or contact your county's ADAMH board for local providers.
Ohio's state behavioral health authority is the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, which was renamed from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) in October 2025.

To talk through options, call or text (800) 653-9376 or use the form below.

Safety comes first

Do not stop heavy drinking or benzodiazepine use suddenly. Withdrawal can be severe and may need medical supervision. Call 911 for an overdose or other medical emergency, and call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.